distilled water

Chemistry

2022

We explain what distilled water is and what the composition of this liquid is like. In addition, its properties, characteristics and various uses.

Distilled water is clean of microorganisms and possible contaminants.

What is distilled water?

Distilled water is the Water (H2O) that has been subjected to procedures of distillation to remove dissolved contaminants and bring it to a state of maximum purity. East process It can be done in multiple ways but, in general, distillation consists of the vaporization Y condensation selective (according to Boiling point of each component) to separate any phase solid or liquid that is dissolved in the water.

Distilled water is a form of treated water, clean from microorganisms and possible pollutants dissolved in it. The water that we normally obtain from the pipes usually has traces of chlorine, used for its treatment and purification, but also physical residues of the material from the pipes or the residual sludge that it may bring with it from its source.

The drinking water with distilled water. Distilled water is frequently used in laboratories and in manufacturing industries since the practices carried out in these places often require water free of electrolytes and mineral salts, which are what the body required to stay hydrated (these electrolytes are in drinking water but not in distilled water).

Human consumption of distilled water can be a source of diarrhea and other forms of transitory disease, as they do not provide the hydration that drinking water does.

Composition of distilled water

Distilled water is not molecularly different from ordinary water: it is made up of two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen (H2O). However, it has been cleansed of the mineral salts that usually accompany it, such as fluorides and other electrolytes. In fact, commercially distilled and repottabilized waters are enriched with many of these elements once they leave the still.

Characteristics and properties of distilled water

Depending on its degree of distillation, many of the ordinary properties of water (such as its electrical conduction) are reduced when leaving the still due to the elimination of ions dissolved in it, since ions are the charge carriers that contribute to electrical conduction. For this reason, in addition to being insulating, distilled water acts diamagnetically (repels magnetism).

The boiling point of distilled water is much higher than that of ordinary water and its taste and odor properties are radically null (in some cases, the water we drink has traces of calcium, chlorine and other elements in minimal proportions).

What is distilled water for?

Distilled water is used in the manufacture of cosmetics and analytical reagents.

While there are those who encourage their consumptionRelying on its purity, distilled water is actually a product for industrial use. It is used in laboratories to prepare mixtures that require very high margins of purity in the water, or that require its insulating and diamagnetic properties.

In the manufacture of batteries, cosmetics and analytical reagents distilled water is used. It is also used in the glass and crystal industry, and even as a starting point in the production of edible products and beverages.

Where do you get distilled water?

Distilled water is normally marketed, so it can be packaged or bottled. It should not be confused with the mineral water bottled or with water purified by techniques ozonation or chlorination. Distilled water is generally for sale in laboratories and health care stores. chemical products.

Ordinary water can be distilled to obtain distilled water. This is carried out by means of a distiller or in an artisanal way, by means of a distillation container, a bottle with a curved neck and prolonged towards one side that makes the water boil inside the steam flow to the other side and can be collected in another container by precipitating by change of temperature.

There are also homemade recipes for distilling water using a large pot that should be filled halfway with plain water. Inside, there should be a clean glass container, and the pot should be closed with the lid turned upside down, on which ice will be placed. When boiling, water vapor ordinary will condense on the metal cooled by ice and will drip into the glass container, which will gradually fill with freshly distilled water.

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